a weekly insider’s guide for those helping students reach their goals toward optimal health and well-being, engagement with learning, and sense of belonging at PSU
Week of November 22, 2021
Inside Student Affairs to Return November 30
Due to the shortened holiday week, Inside Student Affairs will be back again on Tuesday, November 30. If you have any suggestions for items to include in a future edition, please email studentaffairs@pdx.edu.
[around campus]
Deconstructing Thanksgiving: Live Lecture and Discussion
The third annual “Deconstructing Thanksgiving” returns on Wednesday, November 24 at 9 a.m.-noon with Dr. Victor Begay, Associate Professor and Indigenous Education advocate. This online lecture and critical discussion will be taking a deep dive into the truths of Thanksgiving. It is a free Zoom event that is open to all, made possible by funds from the President’s Diversity Grant. Space may be limited, so RSVP as early as possible by emailing jfj2@pdx.edu.
PSU Jazz Band and Park Avenue Group Fall Concert
After a hiatus due to COVID-19, the PSU Jazz Band and Park Avenue Group will be performing a fall concert in Lincoln Hall 175 on November 29 at 7 p.m. Directed by professor George Colligan, these groups will perform jazz standards and original music. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact ghc@pdx.edu.
[news to use]
Thanksgiving Rental Special in Campus Rec
Are you thankful for the outdoors? The Outdoor Program has the perfect deal for you! Rent outdoor gear for six days for the price of four over Thanksgiving weekend. Items must be picked up Wednesday, November 24 and returned Monday, November 29. Additional days will be charged standard extra day fees. To learn more about Outdoor Gear rentals, visit the Campus Rec website.
PSU Ranked in Top 10% Nationwide for Social Mobility
Portland State University has been recognized once again for its commitment to social mobility. A new ranking from CollegeNET, Inc. places PSU in the top 10% nationwide for social mobility and No. 1 in Oregon at 114th out of 1,549 institutions. The 2021 Social Mobility Index evaluates four-year colleges and universities based on how effectively they enroll students with low-income backgrounds and graduate them with jobs. PSU has also ranked No. 1 in Oregon for social mobility by U.S. News World & Report for the last three years.
[video of the week]
Students reflect on pandemic lessons and express gratitude in this video, featured on the Inside Portland State blog.
[from the vpsa]
“An interview with Ronald J. Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University and author of the book What Universities Owe Democracy, appeared recently in Inside Higher Ed. Daniels argues that higher ed in the United States is essential to achieving the goals of our democracy by promoting social mobility, providing for equal opportunity, and ensuring that students are equipped, upon graduation, to go out into the world prepared to be effective citizens in a thriving, diverse democracy. The piece made me reflect on Portland State University. What are we contributing to civic life and the health of our democracy? What do we hope to teach our students, and what are they actually learning, inside and outside of the classroom? Is higher education just serving individual needs, or our society at large? Our university's motto is "Let knowledge serve the city." Reading this piece, and reflecting on the importance of our work to democracy, inspired me throughout this past week. Hope you will give it a read.
[office of student affairs]
[future editions]
If you want to include something in an upcoming Inside Student Affairs, please email studentaffairs@pdx.edu. Archives of past issuescan be found here.
[other newsletters]
At the bottom of the Inside Student Affairs archive, you will find signup links for various newsletters at Portland State.
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